HOW TO KNOW HIM. 55 



THE RUMP, 



or haunch, should not be excessively broad : al- 

 though it is the narrow rump that should be most 

 avoided ; for, if the rump is narrow, there will be a de- 

 cided lack of power. The rump-bones should be well 

 projected on each side of the hips. Nor do I object, 

 when looking for speed, if the projection is so great as 

 to cause the horse to be *' ragged-hipped." Such 

 horses, if otherwise well constructed, must, of necessity, 

 be very powerful horses. The bones that reach from 

 the kidneys to the projection of the hip can scarcely be 

 too long, especially in animals kept for speed. Short- 

 ness here means shortness of stride. The side-bones of 

 the haunch should droop well down, and not stand out 

 nearly level. I know that some straight or level 

 rumped horses can trot, and trot fast too ; but still, as a 

 rule, the horse with a moderately drooping rump is the 

 best. Such a horse, if he is in other respects put to- 

 gether right, is sure to go. He will swing along easily. 

 The stifle-joint will be launched out well ahead, and his 

 leg be thrown well forward. This far-reaching-forward 

 motion of stifle and leg will insure length to his stride, 

 and trueness of balance. He will be a level goer. His 

 trotting will be done with his legs, and not with his 

 body. Note that this droop of the rump is not incon- 

 sistent with roundness of superficial formation : for mus- 

 cles can be so massed at this point, that the rump shall 

 have a full and plump appearance ; and this is the most 



